The 125cc Grand Prix kept the Dutch spectators on the edge of their seats at the historic Assen Circuit. As the red lights went out to mark the begging of the race it was Nico Terol, Sergio Gadea and Andrea Iannone that would lead the field on the first lap. In the laps that followed Nico Terol on board the Jack and Jones Aprilia was able to set the pace whilst fellow Aprilia riders Iannone and Gadea followed in hot pursuit. By the fifth lap Iannone struggled to maintain the pace set by Terol and began to slip down the order.
As the race continued the warm tyres and a lighter fuel load of Julian Simon allowed him to match Terol’s pace eventually overtaking team mate Gadea to follow Terol as he attempted to make a break. On lap ten Gadea, in search of victory began to regain the ground he had lost and began reducing the time between him and Simone in second. With all three riders unable to get away a waiting game commenced until the final two laps. On the second last lap Simon overtook Terol to take the lead however when Terol went to re take the lead in the final lap he made a drastic move which forced Simon and himself wide, Gadea took advantage and went through to secure victory in front of Terol and Simon. Gadea’s victory marked his first of the 2009 season and the Aspar Aprilia’s 200th podium appearance.
Iannone and Bradley Smith were engaged in a bitter battle for fourth place however it was Smith that would cross the line five-hundredths of a second in front of fellow Aprilia rider Iannone. Smith was later awarded third place and Iannone fourth when Terol was penalised by Race Direction and relegated to fifth position. Stefan Bradl finished in sixth position in front of fellow German rider Folger, whilst Simone Corsi who recently re-joined the Fontana Racing Team crossed the line in eighth making the top eight motorcycles all Aprilias.
Julian Simon has extended his championship lead and now sits on 104 points followed closely by teammate Bradley Smith on 98.5 points, whilst fourth position allowed Iannone to maintain third place in the championship with 84.5 points. Aprilia has been able to increase the manufactures championship lead to 162.5 points.
